STIPENDIARY STEWARDS
On the racecourse, the responsibility for policing the Rules of Racing at the 1300-plus fixtures each year belongs to the Stewards. A Stewards’ Panel for a race normally consists of 3 people:
- 2 amateur Racecourse Stewards, approved and trained by the British Horseracing Authority and being unpaid and have no vested interest other than fair racing.
- 1 Stipendiary Steward, employed by the British Horseracing Authority.
The Panel is advised by a separate Stipendiary Steward, who presents the case to the Panel and questions the jockey and/or trainer in connection to a potential breach of the rules.
The Panel has at least four camera angles of the race to monitor the running and riding of all the horses. These views are: head-on and side-on views of the home straight, a scout view from the rear of the field and a further camera down the back straight.
The Panel watches the race live from viewing positions on the course and after the race review it in full with all the camera angles in the Stewards Room. In particular, Stewards are looking for possible breaches of:
The Stewards also have the power to dope test any horse after any race.
You can find the results of all Racecourse Stewards’ Enquiries and Reports made by Trainers and Jockeys as to why horses ran badly. These Instructions state that it is mandatory for jockeys and trainers to report to the stewards anything which has happened in a race which might have adversely affected the performance of a runner that they train/ride.
By obliging jockeys and trainers to report on why their horses may have run badly, stewards and punters are aware of any reason for a horse’s disappointing performance and any subsequent improvement in form.
Read our Guide to Penalties and Procedures which sets out the Racecourse Stewards' procedures following interference, running and riding and whip offences
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